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Be Seen, Be Safe - Pedestrian awareness campaign

Nanaimo

2017-11-03 09:56 PDT

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Be Seen, Be Safe - Pedestrian awareness campaign

With daylight savings in effect this weekend and daylight hours slowly slipping away the Nanaimo RCMP is partnering with the City of Nanaimo and ICBC to bring awareness to the issue of pedestrian safety. Each year pedestrians are struck crossing city streets. One of the most significant contributing factors behind these collisions is the lack of reflective clothing worn by pedestrians. If you cannot be seen, you are not safe.

To help combat this issue, on November 7th, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at the intersection of Commerical St and Victoria Crescent, Nanaimo RCMP officers from the Municipal Traffic Unit and Bike Patrol, along with employees with the City of Nanaimo and ICBC will be handing out reflective arm bands to pedestrians. The officers and their partner agencies will also be taking a few minutes to discuss with pedestrians the importance of wearing reflective clothing. Arm bands are just one way to keep you safe.

Pedestrians and motorists alike must use extreme caution when approaching crosswalks. Pedestrians cannot assume the driver of an approaching vehicle sees them. Before entering the crosswalk they MUST be satisfied the vehicle is slowing down and the driver sees them. Drivers have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians who are entering a marked crosswalk. They also have the onerous task of dealing with pedestrians who not only have their earbuds in but how are also distracted and looking down at their phones while in crosswalks. This only complicates the issue but it is one that motorists must expect and be prepared to react to, said Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

Shown below is Constable KORTAS of the Nanaimo RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit wearing one of the armbands which will be handed out.